Bridge Online

 Bridge is one, if not the only one, card game that offers the most challenging enjoyment and brain food. Early in my marriage to an avid Bridge player, we went to play Bridge at the homes of friends, but I  understood barely what was going on.  I should have been wearing a dunce cap. My next venture with Bridge was at condo social club events during which we set up a few tables to enjoy the game. By that time, I was a little more experienced in Bridge, but didn't have enough experience to play with confidence. My poor partners suffered along with me but in the next few years, I still continued to be a "beginner". As to keeping score or flying into conventions that was simply not possible nor did I have any desire to be a crackerjack Bridge buff. I certainly did not want to become part of the Bridge addicts groups who played almost every day of the week and were seriously competitive. I didn't want to play any game with that kind of mix. Then I discovered online Bridge where no one knows anyone, thus there is no embarrassment on making a stupid mistake or being unable to win constantly. I began to thoroughly enjoy the game when all the stress was so removed. Also, my game improved by leaps and bounds. I am still just an average player but online Bridge has become one of my fondest pleasures. I continue to be too lazy to keep score or worry a lot about stunning my fellow players with foxy moves or using conventions that, to me, are an unnecessary part of loving the game. For some people, it's their delight and that's fine; not for me. There are some issues with online secret partner games however. The site I use, has rules and it tries to hurry the slowpokes up but it offers at no charge, hours of stimulating play. While the names you play with are no one you know and they could be from any corner of the world being online, they often become familiar. the names of those that have chose a unique one at some. I have notice many traits with secret players, some of them  enjoyable and others, maddening. The ones I find annoying  that after beginning a game and the bidding is over and the game proceeding, the minute you and your partner are down in the score, that person leaves the game and you are given a bot to play with. Someone told me that when he plays, if he sees he doesn't have a chance at winning the game, he's not going to waste his time continuing to play. I find that hard to understand since it is a game and naturally, you can't expect to win all the games you play. Part of play is the anticipation of winning, and if that doesn't happen, there is another chance right around the corner, to win. Sure. It is frustrating when hand after hand, you don't get good cards and the theory is, that if you don't have a counting hand, what's the point? The point is good sportsmanship as a team member. You start a game, you finish a game. You don't walk off the field in a huff. My take. Another annoying habit is when some players show temper, they will bid outlandishly and leave their own partner in a situation where it must play out a game that is not possible to win because of the ridiculous bid. Some in a snit, often before they leave, bid slam with no cards to show for it. It leaves all the other players stuck because they have to play on with the bad move. Still other players often bid up in anger to show their ire. They bid beyond the cards they are holding just to be a nuisance trying to force the bid up to an impossible place on their opponents. You Bridge players know what I mean. The games I love most are defensive ones that require a good memory and maneuvering style to try and increase the score even though a win may not be possible. Even with a low chance of acquiring as many tricks as you need, you play a clever game manipulating your moves just so. It isn't all about winning but about playing a keen game and online Bridge has it all.